The new "Freedom of Information Act" and the more important reasons for limitations on the flow of information are discussed. The legal basis for these limitations can be found in the almost 100 statutory provisions which prohibit, exempt, or otherwise protect certain types of information from disclosure. The Export Control Acts of the Department of Commerce and the Mutual Security Act of the Department of State are among the most difficult to administer. Some of the basic reasons and requirements for Department of Defense distribution statements are reviewed. Finally, statistics are presented to show approximately what proportion of the federal reports fall in the various categories of limitations, and the contributions of the Air Force laboratories to the federal technical report literature. (Author/RM)